Two black swans and two cereopsis geese should be in place this fall at the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia.
The swans and geese will replace four birds killed during a vandalism incident on June 22 at the zoo. Three youngsters — two 11-year-olds and one 13-year-old — were charged Monday in the case. All have been accused of felony cruelty to animals, burglary, and criminal damage to property. The 13-year-old also is charged with driving without a valid driver’s license.
Emporia Police officers Rob Shipley and Kay Ohlemeier and Det. Mark Schondelmaier worked the investigation and made the arrests. The suspects were placed in juvenile detention, according to information from Deputy Police Chief Mike Williams.
Interim Zoo Director Lisa Keith said that the zoo staff was pleased that police had suspects in custody and charged, but she emphasized that at this point the youngsters are “alleged culprits” and have not been convicted.
“I give pats on the back to the Emporia Police Department, KVOE, Crime Stoppers, everyone who really put forth the effort to keep this going,” Keith said. “I applaud them tremendously.”
Keith expects that local employees will drive to the Omaha Zoo in the fall to pick up the pair of black swans, which Omaha is selling to the Emporia zoo for $75 each.
The cereopsis geese, at a cost of $700 for the pair, will come from North Carolina and could be shipped here by air freight or other means.
The cost of the four birds is minimal compared to the expenses of travel and shipping, and the medical testing and/or treatment that must be done to secure the state-required health certificates on the birds.
“Most likely delivery of those won’t be ’til fall, with the heat now,” Keith said. “This time of year, the stress that goes along with the heat could be detrimental. For the safety of them, it’s better to ship when it’s cooler.”
The Emporia Friends of the Zoo has undertaken a fundraising drive to finance a security system for the zoo and to pay for expenses involved in securing the replacement fowl.
Keith said that approximately $2,000 has been received at the zoo office.
“We also have funds pledged from some other entities and those are undisclosed right now,” she said.
Bids are being taken for the security system, expected to cost thousands of dollars.
“We’re not sure what kind of security we’re going to do at this point, but there will be some type of security,” Keith said.
Checks to help finance the project may be sent to EFOZ in care of the zoo, 75 Soden Drive, Emporia KS 66801. Donors need to write “birds/security” on the checks so the organization can keep the funds separate from other monies. Donors also may designate donations separately to either birds or security.
“That way they know which fund to put it in,” Keith said.
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
it ll be nice to see the new birds. if vandals can be kept out the new birds will last as long as the last ones
July 22, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
For a town of our size, we have a wonderful zoo. Thanks to everyone for keeping it going.
July 23, 2008 at 1:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I love going to our zoo, not just to see the animals, but to see the plant displays too. Everything is always in such great shape thanks to folks who work there.
Let's all send them a few bucks for the birds and security system. Doesn't have to be much. Just think if the entire town sent just one dollar each. How about that for a challenge? Call it "Dollar Day" where Emporians send in one dollar for every member of their immediate family. Maybe one of the banks could be a drop off for those who don't mail it in. You heard it here first.
EFOZ birds/security
75 Soden Dr.
Emporia, KS 66801
July 23, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smoore (anonymous) says...
I think a proper punishment for these kids would be to make them do clean up work at the zoo until the "cost" of new birds is worked off. This labor might make them think twice before they do anything like that again.
July 23, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksfarmer (anonymous) says...
According to the Friends of the Zoo 2006 990 tax form, their assets were over $262,900.
July 23, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Perhaps it's time to charge admission to cover the operations costs and maintain the nice environment of the zoo.
July 23, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaGarrison (Melissa Garrison) says...
i saw on the news one time that when people steal from wal-mart (not here) that the management makes them stand outside with a sign that says "i stole from wal-mart", adding embarrassment to their punishment...
it would be funny to make the kids clean up poop at the zoo, until, like smoore said, the cost was worked off. however, i doubt anyone would want to babysit them while they worked...
a girl i work with said her friend's car was stolen the night the kids broke in, and the car was found ditched at the zoo the next day. coincidence?
i don't feel sorry for them just because they're "kids".
July 23, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )